Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALFAREN’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALFAREN’, particularly characterized by having purple flowers with a small light purple edge and dark red lip, 1 to 2 peduncles that are long and sturdy, leaves that are oblong, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALFAREN’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of theOrchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafterreferred to by the variety name ‘PHALFAREN’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands. The objectiveof this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant withattractive and unique dark purple flowers with a small light purple edgeand dark red lip, suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALFAREN’ is a result of cross-pollinationmade by the inventor in August 2007 in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands of theproprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘01-1434’(unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsishybrid ‘01-2114’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands in August 2010. Asexualreproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culturesince 2013 in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands, has demonstrated that the newvariety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have been applied for in Europeon Apr. 25, 2017. ‘PHALFAREN’ has not been made publicly available orsold anywhere in the world more than one year prior to the effectivefiling date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands and can be used todistinguish ‘PHALFAREN’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsisplant.

-   -   1) Purple flowers with a small light purple edge and dark red        lip;    -   2) 1 to 2 peduncles;    -   3) Peduncle is long and sturdy; and    -   4) Shape of the leaf is oblong.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms andfoliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonablyobtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs weretaken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands, from 50-week oldplants in July 2017. Colors in the photographs may differ from the colorvalues cited in the detailed botanical description, which accuratelydescribe the actual colors of the new variety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms and foliage of‘PHALFAREN’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALFAREN’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of the leaves of ‘PHALFAREN’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘PHALFAREN’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotypemay vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype. The chart used in the identification of colors describedherein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms ofordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, TheNetherlands. Observations and measurements were made in July 2017 on50-week old plants which were planted from a nursery tray in 12centimeter (diameter) pots and grown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by a cooling period of 8 weeks between18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in a greenhouse of 21° C.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.        -   Common name.—Moth orchid.        -   Variety name.—‘PHALFAREN’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-1434’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-2114’ (unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture.-   Roots:    -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green colored roots (RHS 190B/C)            with branching lateral roots having dark red colored root            tips (RHS 183B).-   Plant:    -   -   Commercial crop time to flowering.—Approximately 48 to 50            weeks from a rooted cutting to finish in a 12 cm pot.        -   Growth habit of peduncle.—Standard, green leaves, raceme to            panicle.        -   Height (from soil level to top of            inflorescence).—Approximately 59.0 cm to 64.0 cm.        -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 41.0 cm to 43.0 cm.        -   Vigor.—Moderate.-   Leaves:    -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 7 to 9 leaves are            produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 21.0 cm            to 23.0 cm. Width: 8.0 cm to 9.0 cm. Shape: Oblong. Base            shape: Moderately elongated to very elongated. Apex: Obtuse            unequal. Leaf blade angle with the petiole (measured from            the horizontal position): Between 20 degrees and 30 degrees.            Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower            surface: RHS 146B and RHS 187A at the margin. Texture:            Rough. Thickness: 2.5 mm to 2.7 mm. Venation: Pattern:            Parallel. Color of the midvein: Upper surface: RHS 146A.            Lower surface: RHS 146B.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 2.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—10 to 14.        -   Length.—59.0 cm to 64.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—6.5 mm to 6.8 mm.        -   Strength.—Moderate.        -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendant.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Mix of brown (RHS 200C) and green (RHS 146B/C).        -   Internode length.—3.0 cm to 4.0 cm.        -   Callosities.—None.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, raceme to panicle            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 240.0 mm to            290.0 mm.        -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11            months after planting in a 12 cm (diameter) pot.        -   Flower.—Height: 71.0 mm to 76.0 mm. Diameter: 85.0 mm to            90.0 mm. Depth of lip: 22.0 mm to 24.0 mm.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 8 to 12 weeks.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Flower bud.—Average size: Medium to large. Length: 20.0 mm            to 22.0 mm. Width: 18.0 mm to 20.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped.            Color: Green (RHS 146D) with diluting dark red-purple shade            (RHS N79B and 187B).        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:            Rounded asymmetric. Margin: Entire. Length (from base to            tip): 40.0 mm to 42.0 mm. Width: 52.0 mm to 54.0 mm. Color            (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Purple (RHS            N78A). Over color: Light purple edge (RHS 76B). Lower            surface: Basic color: Purple (RHS N78C). Over color: Light            purple (RHS 76A).        -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Obtuse symmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 40.0 mm to            42.0 mm. Width: 27.0 mm to 29.0 mm. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Purple (RHS N78A). Over            color: Red-purple (RHS N79C) in the middle. Lower surface:            Basic color: Purple (RHS N78C). Over color: Light purple            (RHS 76B).        -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 42.0 mm to            44.0 mm. Width: 25.0 mm to 27.0 mm. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Purple (RHS N78A). Over            color: Light green (RHS 145D) at the base and red-purple            spots (RHS N79C). Lower surface: Basic color: Purple (RHS            N78C). Over color: Light purple (RHS 76A).        -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 12.0            mm to 14.0 mm. Color of whiskers: Dark red-purple (RHS N79A            and 187A). Pubescence on the lip: Absent.        -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Spatulate. Margin: Slightly undulated.            Length: 21.0 mm to 23.0 mm. Width: 14.0 mm to 16.0 mm.            Color: Yellow (RHS 13B) at the base; dark red (RHS 59A) and            dark red-purple (RHS N79C) toward the margin; white edge            (RHS NN155C) toward the column.        -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Triangular. Margin: Entire. Length: 21.0            mm to 23.0 mm. Width: 20.0 mm to 22.0 mm. Color: Dark red            (RHS 187A/B) and slightly yellow (RHS 13C) at the base.        -   Callus.—Height: 8.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Length: 6.0 mm to 8.0 mm.            Width: 4.0 mm to 6.0 mm. Color: Yellow (RHS 13A); lighter            yellow (RHS 10B) on sides; dark red spots (RHS 187A).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Column.—Length: 8.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Diameter: 5.6 mm to            5.8 mm. Color: Purple (RHS N78A).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 1.2 mm to 1.4 mm. Color:            Orange (RHS 26A).        -   Ovary.—Length: 6.0 mm to 8.0 mm. Diameter: 1.9 mm to 2.1 mm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 29.0 mm to 31.0 mm. Diameter: 2.5 mm to            2.7 mm. Color: Green (RHS 145D) and light purple (RHS N78D).-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis to date.-   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on    plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

The female and male parent plants of ‘PHALFAREN’ are no longer inexistence, so a meaningful comparison cannot be made.

‘PHALFAREN’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named‘PHALUFREL’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,259) and ‘PHALDANBO’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 25,930). ‘PHALFAREN’ differs from the commercial variety‘PHALUFREL’ in that ‘PHALFAREN’ has a small edge flower pattern, whereas‘PHALUFREL’ has a broad edge flower pattern. Additionally, ‘PHALFAREN’has longer whiskers, longer lateral sepals and narrower dorsal sepalsthan ‘PHALFUFREL’.

‘PHALFAREN’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALDANBO’ in that‘PHALFAREN’ has a rounded asymmetric petal apex, whereas ‘PHALDANBO’ hasa mucronate and symmetric petal apex. Additionally, ‘PHALFAREN’ haslonger whiskers, longer lateral sepals and narrower dorsal sepals than‘PHALDANBO’.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named‘PHALFAREN’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.